Minority leader On His Way Out

- Akufo-Addo's forces fingered

The aL-hAJJ can confirm that minority leader of Parliament, Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu would next Saturday, June 13, pay dearly for once criticizing the leadership style of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as he is billed to lose the Suame constituency parliamentary primary of the NPP to Kwadwo Boateng Genfi.
The smooth-talking Suame legislator, who was last year caught on tape chastising Nana Akufo-Addo’s handling of the NPP, this paper has gathered, has tried unsuccessfully to erase his name from the NPP flag bearer’s bad books, hence the clamor to get him out.
Although coterie of Nana Akufo-Addo's political hangers-on in the past failed in their attempt to get Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu replaced as minority leader after the leaked tape went viral, they now see the upcoming NPP parliamentary primaries as a window of opportunity to finally nail him.
The veteran legislator, who has been in parliament since 1996, and is seeking another term, is being fiercely challenged by two NPP stalwarts, Messrs John Darko and Kwadwo Boateng Genfi, with the latter expected to win.
The two NPP kingpins, especially Kwadwo Boateng Genfi, have not only given Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu a run for his money, but have waged a spirited campaign with the help of assigns of Nana Akufo-Addo to end the minority leader's parliamentary tenure.
Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu was last year caught on tape saying “…Akufo-Addo sleeps in a private residence anytime he visits Kumasi. Apart from some people who cook for him, most of the rest follow him because of other interests when it comes to the Ashanti Region. His coterie of followers who go to sleep at the Golden Tulip Hotel; You know how much they were spending? The cost to be paid by the campaign team was USD90, 000. If we had given this money to some two constituencies, they would have won for us….We will not allow you to do that because in my view now we don’t have money for campaign.

“Then somebody goes to import bicycles, motor bicycles and vuvuzelas. What are we using vuvuzelas for? Do you know how much vuvuzelas cost? Some people take advantage to import vuvuzelas! The vuvuzelas alone cost $1.5 million," he added.
These comments, which he (Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu) has strenuously denied, was said to have angered Nana Akufo-Addo and his men who have vowed to pay him back by getting him replaced as minority leader.
Following his comment, Nana Akufo Addo’s cousin, Gabby Asare-Otchere Darko, launched an unprovoked scathing attack on the whole Minority in Parliament, particularly its leadership led by Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, describing them as “lazy.”
This attack paved the way for some henchmen of the NPP’s flag bearer to call for the head of the minority leader and his deputy, Dominic Nitiwul, but failed to achieve that.
Having failed to get him out, Nana Akufo-Addo and his men, party insiders alleged, fashioned out a plan to supplant him as MP for Suame.
Feeling the pinch of groundswell against his candidature, the Minority leader, who likened himself to Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi, questioned why the leadership of the NPP is no longer preventing other party members from contesting sitting MPs who hold positions in Parliament.
The Suame contest has degenerated into war of words between Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu and foremost contender, Kwadwo Boateng Genfi, aka Boat, who has been endorsed by many, including former Ghanaian international, Samuel Osei Kufuor.